Precautions after hernia surgery are very essential. Keeping this in mind, here is a much-needed post-hernia surgery understanding, precautionary measures and guidance which will be enough to prepare you for a safe and secure recovery.
What is Hernia – type & Recovery Time Overview
What is a hernia? Well, the condition deals mainly with the abdomen opening, when the abdomen experiences sudden bulging of the tissues in its wall or the opening area, it is given the name of hernia condition.
We can separate this condition into further parts or types as different people, their body types and situations experience different types of hernia. These major types are Inguinal hernia, Umbilical hernia, Hiatal hernia and Femoral hernia.
Tips to deal with hernia Few easy-to-follow tips to avoid hernia and get rid of its symptoms are big amounts of change in diet plans and avoiding various physical activities. This can mean, not taking many heavy meals, large bites while eating food, avoiding spice in food and food items with more acidic content, maintaining a balanced weight and avoiding heavy lifting and excessive weight lifting.
Recovery time overview Post hernia surgery, the patient can generally experience an overall recovery time of one week to two weeks. This includes the healing, resting and repairing from the surgery as well as the whole condition.
Do’s and Don’ts after the hernia repair surgery
Do’s
- 1. Slowly return to your routine After the surgery, the initial days do require complete rest, but by taking one step at a time come back to the daily routine and lifestyle.
- 2. Take proper dosage During the recovery period, to have maximum healing, taking the proper dosage, as instructed by the doctor is a must.
- 3. Take complete rest and enough sleep Post-surgery, complete rest is prescribed by the doctor as it balances the health and speeds up the recovery time.
- 4. Maintaining a healthy diet Your health is the top priority especially after having surgery. During this time, the body is weak and can lead to developing more severe problems if it doesn’t receive proper nutrition.
- 5. In case of emergency, contact your doctor immediately Even if experiencing the slightest discomfort contact the doctor immediately. As a doctor can either change the medication or take care of it.
- 6. Resume physical activity post complete healing Once, the healing is complete, which can take approximately two weeks, get back to your physical health by starting with walking in the park.
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Don’ts
- 1. Heavy lifting is not allowed One of the first things to avoid is any kind of heavy lifting. This can increase the risk of wording your condition and create complications post hernia surgery.
- 2. Avoid any strenuous activities Anything that gives physical, mental and emotional stress, ensure avoiding it. As this can increase the pain.
- 3. Don’t stay completely stiff in a single position. This is understood that the initial days can be a bit difficult to manage and move your body. For the first few days it is fine to not move at all but eventually bring your body back to motion, letting the body come back to its natural state.
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Diet Precaution after Hernia Surgery
Post hernia surgery, every patient is advised to follow a proper diet ( nutritious foods only), lifestyle (exercising, yoga practice and meditation) and medication (doctor’s prescribed only).
This brings the healing and post-effect of surgery completely successful. These diet precautions post-surgery are
- 1. Food to eat post hernia surgery A balanced diet which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts is an ideal diet post hernia surgery to have a speedy recovery. This includes yoghurt, milk, Green beans, bananas, apples, watermelons, pears, whole grain rice, bran, whole grain bread, eggplant and Oatmeal.
- 2. Foods not to eat post hernia surgery Equally some food and items with high fat and high caloric level needs to be avoided such as chocolates, french fries, syrup drinks and desserts.
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Exercise Precaution after Hernia Surgery
Post hernia surgery, getting back to any kind of physical activities or exercises immediately can increase the risk. Thus, the patient is advised to take extra care and precautions post-surgery.
Once the ideal recovery time is covered, the patient can start with light exercise. Eventually, when the healing is completely done and the patient has returned to their daily lifestyle, getting back to physical heavy lifting exercises and strenuous work can be done, but only with the doctor’s approval.
What to expect after Hernia Surgery?
Post hernia surgery, the patients can experience a little too much tiredness, which goes away with time and can feel mild to severe pain due to the surgery’s effect, this too will go away as soon as the medication starts to work and the patient takes proper rest.
When to Call the Doctor After Hernia Surgery
A doctor is like a companion or a caring buddy. It is advised that in case of hernia surgery and post-surgery during its repair time the patient can contact the doctor whenever they feel even a slight to severe discomfort.
Post hernia surgery, even if the regular follow-up is still to be scheduled, the patient in case of worsening the conditions, experiencing unbearable or immense pain and severe constipation ( no stool passing for three days at least). Your doctor will be the right one to know about these situations so that you can receive a cure within time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I avoid after hernia surgery?
Post hernia surgery, two initial weeks to an extended one or two more weeks are very crucial. The doctor after doing the surgery gives the patient a planned chart for what to avoid and what needs to be strictly followed. Thus, one of the essential things to avoid is heavy lifting or bending.
Doing heavy lifting soon after the surgery can complicate the surgery’s effect. The patient is advised to do proper rest, make sure of taking the prescribed medicines on time as instructed by the doctor and take the proper dosage.
How many days of rest is required after hernia surgery?
Post hernia surgery, the doctor advises a complete rest for the initial time of three to four days to approximate two weeks. This is the most important time where the proper healing and recovery are done through proper medication, dosage, healthy diet and rest.
Is bed rest necessary after hernia surgery?
The latest guidance does not strictly put the compulsion of complete bed rest for the recovery from hernia post-surgery. But, it is always a better decision to stay on full bed rest, especially for the first few days and a routine should be followed eventually.
Which food is good for hernia patients?
Foods good for patients with a hernia that have low acid-producing contents and do not result in aggravating the hernia symptoms are fruits, vegetables, food grains, skim milk and low-fat products.
Here, fruits such as apples, bananas, berries and melon, vegetables such as beans, broccoli and carrots, grains like rice, bread and cereals and milk products especially yoghurt are rich in helping the hernia symptoms fade away.
Can I use the Indian toilet after hernia surgery?
Patients who had laparoscopic hernia surgery as much as have the complete freedom to use Indian toilets and can ideally use both types of toilets without a hassle. Post hernia surgery, the patient can comfortably use Indian as well as western toilets.
Is it good to walk after hernia surgery?
Hernia surgery doesn’t call for physical restrictions like walking or doing routine care. But, every surgery needs its ultimate recovery time. So, for the initial two weeks, it is preferred to rest completely. The patient can start taking little steps and soon walk completely as the healing gets better.
What is the best position to sleep in after hernia surgery?
Post hernia surgery, the best-suited posture advised by the doctors and has been proven to be ideal posture is sleeping on either side or back. Also, if the patient has a habit of sleeping on the stomach, and lost a hernia surgery this should be strictly avoided.
How do you know if something is wrong after hernia surgery?
If the patient is dealing with post-hernia surgery complications, the visible signs or symptoms to identify whatever is wrong post-surgery are nausea, feeling lethargy, having a burning sensation or mild to severe pain, bulging of the abdomen and experiencing constipation.
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